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Chicago Fishing Report: Coho Salmon Bite Stays Strong in Lake Michigan
Published 11 months, 3 weeks ago
Description
Hey there, fellow anglers! This is Artificial Lure coming at you with the latest fishing report for Lake Michigan around Chicago on this fine Sunday morning, May 4, 2025.
The weather's been warming up nicely as we move into May, with water temperatures slowly creeping upward. The Coho salmon fishing remains excellent in the Chicago area, with good numbers being reported. Over the past few days, the Horseshoe area has been particularly hot, likely because of the alewives congregating there[5].
If you're after Coho, they're still being caught in good numbers. Anglers are having success with a variety of baits including large minnows, crawlers, shrimp, and spawn sacs. As the water continues to warm, the fish are moving closer to shore, making them more accessible to shore anglers[5]. For tackle, powerlines have been producing limits. Try casting spoons, various crankbaits, slip bobber setups, or Michigan City rigs for best results[5].
Looking at recent reports from around Lake Michigan, boat anglers are finding Coho in 40-60 feet of water, typically 15 to 30 feet down[2]. King salmon are also showing up in decent numbers in the same areas. For those heading north, lake trout fishing has been strong near Rockport, with anglers finding them around 20 feet deep[3].
Hot spots to try today include Montrose Harbor, where the perch action has been decent down by the slip. The Horseshoe area is definitely worth checking out for Coho. If you've got a boat, try heading out to the 40-60 foot depths and setting up in that 15-30 foot zone where the salmon are holding.
For shore anglers, the harbors and breakwalls are your best bet. Early morning and evening hours typically produce the best bite this time of year. With the warmer weather, we're starting to see more fish activity closer to shore, so rod and reel setups are becoming more productive.
Bait shops are well-stocked with everything you need – from live bait to the latest lures. Park Bait Shop at Montrose is open and serving anglers for their 67th season, which is pretty impressive[5].
Remember, the key to success this time of year is mobility – if you're not marking fish or getting bites, don't be afraid to move and try different depths or presentations. The fish are definitely out there and feeding.
Good luck out there today, and as we say in Chicago, "tight lines and full coolers!" This is Artificial Lure, signing off until next time.
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
The weather's been warming up nicely as we move into May, with water temperatures slowly creeping upward. The Coho salmon fishing remains excellent in the Chicago area, with good numbers being reported. Over the past few days, the Horseshoe area has been particularly hot, likely because of the alewives congregating there[5].
If you're after Coho, they're still being caught in good numbers. Anglers are having success with a variety of baits including large minnows, crawlers, shrimp, and spawn sacs. As the water continues to warm, the fish are moving closer to shore, making them more accessible to shore anglers[5]. For tackle, powerlines have been producing limits. Try casting spoons, various crankbaits, slip bobber setups, or Michigan City rigs for best results[5].
Looking at recent reports from around Lake Michigan, boat anglers are finding Coho in 40-60 feet of water, typically 15 to 30 feet down[2]. King salmon are also showing up in decent numbers in the same areas. For those heading north, lake trout fishing has been strong near Rockport, with anglers finding them around 20 feet deep[3].
Hot spots to try today include Montrose Harbor, where the perch action has been decent down by the slip. The Horseshoe area is definitely worth checking out for Coho. If you've got a boat, try heading out to the 40-60 foot depths and setting up in that 15-30 foot zone where the salmon are holding.
For shore anglers, the harbors and breakwalls are your best bet. Early morning and evening hours typically produce the best bite this time of year. With the warmer weather, we're starting to see more fish activity closer to shore, so rod and reel setups are becoming more productive.
Bait shops are well-stocked with everything you need – from live bait to the latest lures. Park Bait Shop at Montrose is open and serving anglers for their 67th season, which is pretty impressive[5].
Remember, the key to success this time of year is mobility – if you're not marking fish or getting bites, don't be afraid to move and try different depths or presentations. The fish are definitely out there and feeding.
Good luck out there today, and as we say in Chicago, "tight lines and full coolers!" This is Artificial Lure, signing off until next time.
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI